[JUNI!]

n o x y s

---

the world had seemed all-too quiet lately, leaving much to be desired as a newcomer to these lands. WE was bustling with promise at every corner; noxys felt unsatisfied with himself. it was not for lack of trying, either. the stallion made note to do his due diligence when coming here, surveying options and weighing pros and cons. each alliance seemed to have many on either side, and each herd land within them so many more to consider. the thought made him sigh, eyes downcast to the ground as he slipped amongst the borders between the ravine and eacarrah.

there was one particular place that called to him in his search for knowledge: the dark woods. lead by vojorn, co-led by jazmin.

he wasn't sure if it was the appeal of the forest ( somewhere as unforgiving as his gods, perhaps? ) or those who called it home that swayed his decision. either way, noxys had set his sights for their direction late the night before to give him enough time to approach with caution. he knew that the neutral alliance had seen its fair share of hardships - but out of anyone in WE, they seemed the most well put together, at least on the surface. it made him hopeful as he started his journey, maybe even foolishly so.

noxys' choice to remain unaligned had not come lightly. it felt like a simple answer to a hard question, one he had no answer for. his father surely would have taken residence in the dark lands, where his mother, the lights. and what about his dearest older brother? that, he said to himself, was the question of the hour. lost in those thoughts, noxys hadn't noticed the sun as it began to peak over the horizon, beckoning dawn forth with ease and better lighting his way.

in no time, the bronze stallion found himself peering into the wood with a careful eye. a light snort came from his nares. he could not see anyone, but it came as no surprise with the thick fog that settled itself over the land. in truth, noxys could barely see a few feet ahead of him. shaking the nerves from his mind with a shake of his frosted mane, he called into the darkness with a throaty howl, lifting off the ground just slight to let his voice be carried into the heavy air. "i come in good faith hoping to be lead to the one called vojorn. i am seeking refuge under her rule."

---

<sub>IMAGE LINK
ART CREDIT TO
NOCTIILUCENT OF DA
+ ebonite + & vojorn !</sub>

[+ ebonite +]

Vojorn had started the day more hopeful than she had felt in a long time. Despite the war raging outside of her lands between the immortals, things in Dark Woods seemed to have settled down and she and her family were healing well from their ordeal. Everyone seemed to have taken a bold step in recovery. Avitas had been the first, setting off to participate in a race, then seeking help from the Vigilum of his own accord, and then participating in a Singles Mingle event. Vojorn had been proud - and surprised - to see her son bouncing back so quickly, enough to socialize with strangers with the potential for romance! He told her about the two equines he had met - Kashmir and Anwen, both lovely souls from the sound of them. She wanted to meet both of them but she would have to wait and see if they visited Dark Woods first. Besides, she didn't want to intrude or be overbearing. The last thing she wanted to do was scare away any potential friends or lovers.

The sun had just started to peak over the horizon as she herself started her patrol of the borders. It was one of the first routines she had settled back into after her return. Walking the boundaries had been painful at first - so many memories that felt far away and tarnished with what she had gone through - but now the boundaries felt comfortable and familiar again. She was still here, doing her patrols despite what she had gone through. She had survived. She held her head high, appearing much the same as she had before her ordeal. She wouldn't say she was back to full health (would she ever be?) but she was getting closer everyday. And knowing her family was doing the same helped her as well. Avitas was not the only one who had gone on an adventure - Vrakali and Osias had as well. Vojorn had been most concerned with Vrakali - her eldest daughter had withdrawn and become very anxious, startling at every sound, refusing to leave Dark Woods, and sometimes even the clearing. She barely spoke and had nightmares. But learning about Avitas' adventure had helped bring her out of it and she and her sister had gone to a race. She'd come back with brighter eyes and Vojorn was so grateful for it.

As she circled around a cluster of trees, Vojorn's ear twitched as she picked up a call from somewhere nearby. 'I come in good faith hoping to be lead to the one called Vojorn. I am seeking refuge under her rule,' the voice said. Vojorn quirked a brow and picked up the pace. The call had come from up ahead of her. Well at least this visitor knows propriety, she thought with a snort, remembering Riddler's rude intrusion. Had he been polite, she would have greeted him in kind. Alas, he had missed out on seeing the true, friendly side of Vojorn. Despite the call, however, Vojorn still could not help feeling suspicious. This stranger had announced himself, true, but that did not mean his intentions were pure. She wondered if the paranoia would ever go away. It saddened her to know that she would always be suspicious of strangers before anything else now.

The stallion came into view then, a tan beast with stripes. He was almost as tall as she was and built much the same. Definitely an individual that could be useful. So why was he here? Who had told him about her and about Dark Woods? "Hello there, stranger," she greeted him, her tones friendly. "I believe you were looking for me - Vojorn, lead of Dark Woods," she continued on, "now, who might you be? And what made you decide to seek me out?" Her eyes were curious. Had he heard of her reputation in the Gladiator Tournament? Or perhaps he knew of the reputation of Dark Woods and how long it had been established?


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timeline after confronting riddler, after avitas returns from the singles mingle event, after vrakali and osias return from the race
notes <33

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